The Strange and Unusual Podcast - Alyson Horrocks | Morbid Network

The Victorian Ghost Hoax | Ep 39 Apr 04, 2022

Join me for a journey into the strange Victorian practice of Ghost Hoaxing. Starting with the death of Thomas Flynn, the mystery of the Hammersmith Ghost and it's origins is explored.

From Cautionary Tales: Death on the Floor Mar 25, 2022

Here’s a special preview of the new season of Cautionary Tales from Pushkin Industries. On Cautionary Tales, bestselling author Tim Harford shares stories of human error, natural disasters, and tragic catastrophes from history that teach us important lessons for today. In this preview, you’ll hear about the 1981 Hyatt Regency Hotel collapse, a shocking design failure that resulted in 114 deaths and many more injuries. Hear the full story, and more from Cautionary Tales, at https://podcasts.pushkin.fm/ctstrange.

Killer Green and a St Patrick's Day Bonus | Ep 38 Mar 14, 2022

Join me for a revisit to Killer Green and some St Patrick's Day facts.
Thank you for today's sponsors:
Magic Spoon. Visit magicspoon.com and use promo code UNUSUAL
Microdose Gummies. Visit microdosegummies and use promo code STRANGE

RE-RELEASE: A Haunting Winter Dec 26, 2021

To end the year, please take a listen to Episode 18: A Haunting Winter, originally released on January 2, 2019. In this episode I explore the old tradition of telling ghost stories in the winter.
The custom of telling winter’s tales is not known to most of us today, but it was custom that stretches back hundreds of years. And more often then not, these winter tales turned to horror.
The popularity of these winter ghost tales peaked to an all time high during the Victorian era and became a celebrated Christmas tradition. And this entanglement of ghosts and Christmas, ultimately lead to a ghost story becoming the most enduring Christmas tale of all, Charles Dickens, ‘A Christmas Carol’, a story in which the ghosts of past, present, and future, change a man’s life for the better.
Join The Strange and Unusual Podcast, as I explore the tradition of winter ghost stories and the reasons they meant to so much to our ancestors, and maybe ought to kept alive today.
I decided to release this episode again because it's one of my personal favorites, and I am also taking extra time to put together new episodes I'm so excited to release in January and February, 2022. I'm so thankful for my listeners and I look forward to bringing you more strange and unusual stories in the new year!
Visit the podcast website: thestrangeandunusualpodcast.com
Instagram: @thestrangeandunusualpodcast
Twitter: @thesandupodcast
Thanks to this week's sponsor, Talkspace! Visit talkspace.com and use promo code STRANGE for $100 off.

Playing The Ghost | Ep 37 Dec 13, 2021

In this episode, I discuss the Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian trend of ghost hoaxing and its motivations. Join me for part 1 on this old school, ghost cosplay.
Visit the podcast website: thestrangeandunusualpodcast.com
Instagram: @thestrangeandunusualpodcast
Twitter: @thesandupodcast
Thanks to this week's sponsor, Talkspace! Visit talkspace.com and use promo code STRANGE for $100 off.

Haunted Houses: Preview of 'The Shadows of Burton Hall' Nov 14, 2021

Join me for a preview of an original haunted house ghost story 'The Shadows of Burton Hall' that I wrote for the upcoming episode(s) on haunted houses.
Also, I’d love to hear some questions from you, the listeners. I’m now starting to put together my schedule of new episodes for 2022, and I’d love to take into account what makes you curious, what strange events, stories, myths, urban legends, and more have you ever wondered about. If I use your idea in any way, I’ll give you a shout out. Just let me know if you’d like your name told or kept secret. Email me at thestrangeandunusualpodcast@gmail.com
Visit the podcast website: thestrangeandunusualpodcast.com
Instagram: @thestrangeandunusualpodcast
Twitter: @thesandupodcast
Thanks to this week's sponsors, Talkspace and Vodacast! Visit talkspace.com and use promo code STRANGE for $100 off. Download the vodacast app in the App Store or visit their website at vodacast.com

A Well of Horror | Ep 36 Oct 30, 2021

In this episode, beliefs and fear surrounding wells is discussed before a reading of the terrifying tale 'The Well' by W.W. Jacobs.
Visit the podcast website: thestrangeandunusualpodcast.com
Instagram: @thestrangeandunusualpodcast
Twitter: @thesandupodcast
Thanks to this week's sponsor Vodacast! Download the app in the App Store or visit their website at vodacast.com

Haunted Places and Minds, Tales of Terror with W.W. Jacobs | Ep 35 Oct 03, 2021

In anticipation of the next episode of haunted houses, I present you with tales of haunted places and minds with Edwardian author, W.W. Jacobs, best known for his story, 'The Monkey's Paw'.
Visit the podcast website: thestrangeandunusualpodcast.com
Instagram: @thestrangeandunusualpodcast
Twitter: @thesandupodcast
Thanks to this week's sponsor Vodacast! Download the app in the App Store or visit their website at vodacast.com

Off With Her Head | Ep 34 Sep 18, 2021

Tales of women mysteriously wearing ribbons around their necks, and the secret they keep beneath from their husband have been with us for centuries, perhaps most famously with Alvin Schwarz's "The Green Ribbon" from the book, 'In a Dark, Dark Room and Other Scary Stories'. In this episode we look into the tale, its meaning, and its origins in the 18th century revolutionary days in France.
Visit the podcast website: thestrangeandunusualpodcast.com
Instagram: @thestrangeandunusualpodcast
Twitter: @thesandupodcast
Thanks to this week's sponsor Vodacast! Download the app in the App Store or visit their website at vodacast.com

Halloween's Final Trick | Ep 33 Sep 01, 2021

In this episode we take a peek into Halloween true horror, from accidental hangings to mistaken corpses, to kick off the spooky season.
Visit the podcast website: thestrangeandunusualpodcast.com
Instagram: @thestrangeandunusualpodcast
Twitter: @thesandupodcast
Thanks to this week's sponsor Vodacast! Download the app in the App Store or visit their website at vodacast.com

Wondery Presents: Killer Psyche Jul 15, 2021

Hey Listeners - There’s a new true crime podcast from Wondery that I just started listening to that I think you should check out. It’s called KILLER PSYCHE.
If you’re a True Crime fan like me then you know there are a lot of true crime stories out there. We watch them on TV, read about them in the news, and of course... We listen to them on podcasts. In the aftermath of these stories, we’re often left asking ourselves WHY. Was it about power? Ego? Revenge? Sex? What makes people like that tick? Most of the time there isn’t a satisfying answer. Until now.
In every episode of Killer Psyche, retired FBI criminal profiler Candace Delong (Duh-Long) dissects the thoughts and motivations of the most infamous felons in history. She’s been in the business for over fifty years and has sat across the table from hundreds of criminals. She’s spent enough time inside their heads to know how they think, and why they do what they do.
Candice unravels the psychology and instincts of America’s most complex and disturbing figures. Including high-profile cases that she personally worked on like the Unabomber. A case where a murderer’s bombs killed three people and severely injured twenty more over the course of seventeen years. And other cases like Chrisopher Duntch (Dun-Ch) who is better known as “Dr. Death”. In this case she uses her training and experience to help us understand what was going on inside his head-- was he delusional or a cold blooded killer?
I’m about to play you a preview of Killer Psyche. While you’re listening, follow Killer Psyche on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or you can listen to new episodes early and ad-free by joining Wondery Plus in the Wondery App.

The Axeman Returneth: The Axeman of New Orleans, Pt 3 | Ep 32 Jun 27, 2021

In the concluding episode on this series on the Axeman of New Orleans, we see the axeman returns after a long break.

One Summer Day and Premature Burial Jun 13, 2021

Taphophobia (tap-oh-phobia), the fear of being buried alive has existed for as long as, well, we’ve existed. In this episode, we touch on the history of this fear and end with Ambrose Bierce's 'One Summer Day', a story of premature burial with a twist.

Horror Stories Bonus: Plethora of Poe - Obsession and Death May 17, 2021

Join me for 3 Edgar Allan Poe Tales of Obsession and Death - The Oval Portrait, The Premature Burial, and The Tell-Tale Heart.

Horror Story Bonus: The Waxwork Apr 19, 2021

Join me for a bonus horror story reading of 'The Waxwork' by A.M. Burrage. In this tale, madness is brought on by the uncanny valley, a concept discussed in Episode 7, Raising the Dead, Part 2.

Horror Story Bonus: The Body-Snatcher Mar 22, 2021

Join me for a bonus horror story reading of 'The Body-Snatcher' by Robert Louis Stevenson. If you haven't listened to episode 10, 'Grave Matters in Edinburgh', you may want to listen to that first, to hear the real-story of Burke and Hare, that inspired Stevenson's fiction.

Jazz It: The Axeman of New Orleans, Pt.2 | Ep 31 Mar 08, 2021

In part two we explore Congo Square, the development of jazz, the culture of New Orleans, and finish coverage of the axeman's first attacks.

Morbid Network Presents: A Chat With Rachael O'Brien From Seven Deadly Sinners (Special Episode Sneak Peek) Feb 28, 2021

Ash and Alaina from 'Morbid: A True Crime Podcast' are joined in a discussion with the wonderful and charming Rachael O'Brien from the podcast 'Seven Deadly Sinners'. Take a listen and fall in love with more of the Morbid Network family!

Masking In Darkness: The Axeman of New Orleans, Pt.1 | Ep 30 Feb 25, 2021

Join me as I tell part 1 of the story of New Orlean's history, it's complicated relationship with race and immigration, its soul and joy, and how one masked himself in darkness to terrorize the city.

Ghostly Winter Tales | Ep 29 Feb 08, 2021

On this episode is a collection of haunting winter tales, some new to the podcast and others are old friends from past episodes. So, get cozy and comfortable, get a roaring fire going, and join me as we revive the old Victorian custom of telling scary ghost stories.

A Victorian Dark Parade, Pt 3 | Ep 28 Jan 19, 2021

In this conclusion of our journey through the Victorian cult of death, we delve into the rise of post mortem photography, 19th century viewings and funerals, the rise in desire for corpse preservation, the birth of the garden cemetery, mourning wear and widows weeds, and the annoyance and perils of crepe, especially crepe veils. You'll also hear the tale of Percy Shelley's death, cremation and how his heart ended up in the desk of his widow, Mary Shelley. Additionally, we look into how the medieval cult of saints influenced the Romantics and Victorians. Death relics, hair art will also be explored, as well as an odd story of how one woman's dead husband ended up as parlor decor.

A Victorian Dark Parade, Pt 2 | Ep 27 Dec 01, 2020

On this supernatural look at the 19th century Victorian cult of death, as we explore banshees, ominous clocks, death tokens, harbingers, the birth of Victorian gothic literature, and madness brought on by death and body snatchers.

A Victorian Dark Parade, Pt 1 | Ep 26 Nov 06, 2020

"Dark Parade," a phrase in a Emily Dickinson’s poem, captures the spirit of the Victorian cult of death, a social movement built on strict mourning rules and funerals, the fetishizing of ephemera of the dead, a movement that was meant to beautify and romanticize the horrific. In this first part of our look into Victorian mourning and death, we explore death by fashion, Queen Victoria's mourning, the Victorian concept of "The Good Death", wakes and vigils gone wrong, and premature burial.

The Beast Within | Ep 25 Oct 19, 2020

This episode gets kind of beastly, as we go through the history of the werewolf from prehistoric times. We follow the wolf man through tales written by Bram Stoker, through the medieval werewolf trials, the lunacy of lycanthropy, and so much more.

Sleepy Hollow, A Region of Shadows | Ep 24 Oct 01, 2020

Often we want to sequester ourselves in some pretty, little hamlet, and leave the rest of the world behind. But in this telling of 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow', we find that when you do, you may just lose your head.
Join me as I talk of contagion and fear, ghosts and goblins, and of the Headless Horseman and Ichabod Crane during this spooky time of year.

The Curse of Winthrop Falls, Pt 3 | Ep 23 Aug 05, 2020

Join me as I tell part three, THE CONCLUSION, of a ghostly tale I wrote about an old, haunted house in the fictional town of Winthrop Falls, Massachusetts. The curse of Winthrop Falls began on Halloween night in 1866, after a mysterious, bloody, accident befell a young woman alone in a dark cellar, but the curse touches everyone in the house up through current day. And so, Jennifer, the current teen resident, must go through all the clues she can find surrounding the home's tragic history, in order to save herself. Can she do it? Find out in the conclusion!

The Curse of Winthrop Falls, pt 2 | Ep 22 Dec 31, 2019

Join me as I tell part two of a ghostly tale I wrote specifically focused on the Halloween season, though it fits all seasons, if you're macabre enough! The curse of Winthrop Falls, Massachusetts began on Halloween night in 1866 after a mysterious, bloody accident befell a young woman alone in a dark cellar. But was she really alone? In part two, we follow the curse as it touches the young of Winthrop Falls during the 19th century, continuing into the 20th and 21st centuries. Will the curse ever be brought to an end?

The Curse of Winthrop Falls, Pt 1 | Ep 21 Nov 01, 2019

Join me as I tell a ghostly tale I wrote specifically for the late autumn season. The curse of Winthrop Falls, Massachusetts began on Halloween night in 1866 after a mysterious and bloody accident befell a young woman who, at the time, was alone in a dark cellar. But was she really alone? In part one we follow the curse as it winds it way through the 1980s and current day to those unfortunate enough to live in the house at 10 Black Manor Gardens.

Here There Be Monsters | Ep 20 Jul 19, 2019

Monsters have been with us from the dawn of humankind. The monster's history in our mythology and belief systems speaks to the many hidden needs and fears within the human mind. On this episode, we explore why the human mind has always needed monsters, through combat myths, Beowulf, an Egyptian creation myth, Greek tragedy, and more. And in homage to scary monster stories, it opens with a monster-under-the-bed tale I call 'Silver Eyes'.

'Silver Eyes' written by Alyson Horrocks

Research Sources: 'Monsters: Evil Beings, Mythical Beasts, and all Manner of Imaginary Terrors' by David D. Gilmore

'On Monsters: An Unnatural History of Our Worst Fears' by Stephen T. Asma

Send in the Clowns | Ep 19 Apr 19, 2019

Clowns, clowns, clowns! This episode starts off with a dramatized clown urban legend, before exploring the long history of clowning that stretches back to ancient times, with a special emphasis on Joseph Grimaldi, the first modern clown. The fear of clowns is also delved into, as the psychological reasons for this fear is explained, as well as the real-life and fictional examples of those who've inspired it, like John Wayne Gacy, Pennywise, and the clown doll from 'Poltergeist'. The role of the clown in society is analyzed as well, from his appearance in Shakespare's plays down to the killer clown panics that began in the 1980s. Send in the clowns!

A Haunting Winter | Ep. 18 Jan 02, 2019

The custom of telling winter’s tales is not known to most of us today, but it was a custom that stretches back hundreds of years. And more often then not, these winter tales turned to horror.
The popularity of these winter ghost tales peaked to an all time high during the Victorian era and became a celebrated Christmas tradition. And this entanglement of ghosts and Christmas, ultimately led to a ghost story becoming the most enduring Christmas tale of all, Charles Dickens, ‘A Christmas Carol’, a story in which the ghosts of past, present, and future, change a man’s life for the better.
Join The Strange and Unusual Podcast, as we explore the tradition of winter ghost stories and the reasons they meant to so much to our ancestors, and maybe ought to be kept alive today.

The Masque of the Red Death and A Memento Mori Halloween, Part 2 | Ep 17 Nov 09, 2018

A telling of 'The Masque of the Red Death' by Edgar Allan Poe, as well as the conclusion of A Memento Mori Halloween is in this episode. European witch trials, Macbeth, Irish and Scottish traditions, the evolution of Samhain and Halloween, and the Dance of Death is all a part of this fascinating and spooky story.

A Memento Mori Halloween, Part 1 | Ep 16 Oct 31, 2018

In this episode, Halloween, and its predecessor Samhain, is explored with the telling of the ghost story 'The Pale Man' and a dive into its evolving history, which includes a look at the Gaelic Celts, The Black Death, Danse Macabre, All Saints and Souls Days, the concept of Memento Mori, and more.

Conjuring Magic and Murder: A Mystery in Motor City | Ep 15 Sep 22, 2018

On July 3, 1929, Italian immigrant and occult mystic healer, Benny Evangelist, was beheaded with an ax in his home office. The killer than murdered Benny's sleeping wife, Santina, and their four children upstairs. The murders remain a mystery, but what kind of motivation could inspire such a frenzied and brutal attack? In this episode, we delve into occult practices, magic, folk Catholicism, magical healers, a suicide inspired by fear of the ax killer, Italian folklore, as well as a look at the misconceptions about immigrants at the time, and how that may have affected the case, leaving it a perplexing, eternal mystery.

The Affair of the Poisons, Part 3 | Ep 14 Jul 13, 2018

In the conclusion of this series about the Affair of the Poisons, the increasing accusations against those in King Louis XIV's royal court become more sinister, shocking investigators and the king. With black magic, human sacrifice, witchcraft, priests admitting demonic practices, orgies, love spells and potions, aphrodisiacs, and black masses, this investigation could not have become stranger. (WARNING: sexual function is discussed in this episode, using the actual stories, taken from documents from the time)

The Affair of the Poisons, Part 2 | Ep 13 Jun 06, 2018

In February of 1677 the 'Affair of the Poisons' was launched in Paris, France. And King Louis XIV, who had named himself the Sun King, after the Greek god, Apollo, was being faced with possible poisoning murder attempts within his own royal court, as well as realizing that those within his own circle may have sought the services of the magical underworld of Paris. Fortune-tellers, alchemists, diviners, conjurers, magicians, and those accused of practicing both white and black magic were rounded up, as well as so many who were now being of accused of murder by poison within the highest ranks of Paris. King Louis would be faced with his childhood fear of betrayal and rebellion, all while building up the grand palace of Versailles. For the next several years those practicing magic and those within the Church said to be holding black masses, as well as sacrificing babies and more to the devil, would become the focus of fascination and horror of those within French society.

The Affair of the Poisons, Part 1 | Ep 12 Apr 08, 2018

In 1672, mysterious poisons were found in the home of a recently deceased Frenchman. This discovery would eventually lead to a years-long murder scandal that would come to be known as 'The Affair of the Poisons', and before it done even those in the noble class would be accused of devil worship, human sacrifice, treason, murder and more. In this first part, Mme de Brinvilliers' murder of her father and brothers by poison will be explored, as this was the case that started it all. Also, explored in this episode, in relation to the world view and time period, is alchemy, the philosopher's stone, and the lives of Sir Issac Newton and Nicolas Flamel.

Wolf in Sheep's Clothes | Ep 11 Jan 23, 2018

In 1873, three Norwegian women were murdered on the Isles of Shoals, off the coast of New England, by someone they thought they could trust. in this episode, we explore the uncertainty, fear, and the sometimes unfortunate results of trusting real-life wolves in sheep's clothing. Along with an accounting of this murder, the phenomenon is also examined through Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack the Ripper, ax murder, and more.

Grave Matters in Edinburgh | Ep 10 Oct 28, 2017

In 1836, seventeen tiny coffins were found on the hillside of Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh, Scotland, adding to the mystery and legends of that location. A new theory emerged in the 1990's as to their purpose, and it would center on the infamous 19th century West Port murders, perpetrated by Burke and Hare. Join me as we enter the world of body snatchers, and explore 19th century Edinburgh.

The Catacombs of Paris and Holidaying with the Dead | Ep 9 Aug 08, 2017

Dark tourism is explored in this episode, as my visit and history of the Catacombs of Paris is detailed. I am also joined by Alyssa Conary, historian and resident of Salem, Massachusetts, in a discussion of dark tourism, its history, and a closer look at some of the most popular attractions that fall under this category. The 19th century phenomenon of tourist visits to the Paris Morgue, current day bed and breakfast stays at the Lizzie Borden House, witch tourism both in Salem and Pendle, and more is detailed in this episode.

The Tell-Tale Heart and Murder in Salem | Ep 8 Jun 15, 2017

Edgar Allan Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart" found its inspiration in a real life murder in Salem, Massachusetts in 1830. In this episode, we examine Poe's story of madness, guilt, and paranoia and the shocking murder case of Captain Joseph White, which would inspire it.

Raising the Dead, Part 2 | Ep 7 May 26, 2017

As we continue exploring the world of necromancy in part 2, we peek into how scientific advances and spectacle factored into the practice during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Frankenstein, Spiritualism, and the Golden Age of Magic created an entertaining, thought-provocating, creepy, and playful atmosphere for raising the dead, which was irresistible for millions. And today it's still irresistible, as we still make use of relics from those exciting and macabre times.

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Music:

Halloween Parade by Sam Haynes Source: https://samhaynes1.bandcamp.com/track/halloween-parade Artist: https://samhaynes1.bandcamp.com

Undercover Vampire Policeman by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Source: http://chriszabriskie.com/uvp/ Artist: http://chriszabriskie.com/

Darkest Child by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100783 Artist: http://incompetech.com/

Ghost Dance by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100573 Artist: http://incompetech.com/

Raising the Dead, Part 1 | Ep 6 Mar 31, 2017

Listen to the tales of L'lnconnue de la Seine, the dead-raising magicians of the medieval clerical underworld, the Monkey's Paw, bells that woke corpses in their graves and more, as we explore necromancy in the first of this 2-part series on raising the dead.

Killer Green: St. Patrick's Day Special | Ep 5 Mar 18, 2017

While we don as much green as possible on St. Patrick's Day now, green gained a deadly reputation in the 19th century. And it was well-earned. Check it out to hear all about a green to die for!

New York Ripper | Ep 4 Feb 21, 2017

On the morning of April 24th, 1891, the body of a mutilated woman is found in a New York hotel room. Immediately, fear that Jack the Ripper was now at work in America hit the headlines, and the newly-formed New York Police Department was under tremendous pressure to find their man and prove their competence.

Join Alyson for the mystery of the murder of Carrie Brown, a victim of Jack the Ripper or a copycat killer in Victorian America.

I Put A Spell on You | Ep 3 Feb 05, 2017

Curses, or the belief in the them, have been with us for millennia. Join Alyson as she takes you through the world of curses and hexes through history, fiction, and true crime. We will will explore the Black Death, Shakespeare, the witch trials, and more.

I Wanna Be Loved By You: Murder Mystery | Ep. 2 Jan 22, 2017

On the morning of October 30th, 1928, Elfrieda Knaak was found with her head, hands, and feet burned down to the bone in the furnace room of the Lake Bluff, Illinois police station. She survived her ordeal with fire, but not for long. Before her death she claimed she did it herself, but then made contradicting statements that seemed to implicate others being involved. The evidence in this case is perplexing and it remains a fascinating mystery to this day.

Join Alyson as we jump back to the 1920's and look into the revival of the spiritualist movement during that decade. Welcome to our first Murder Mystery Minisode!

Speak of the Devil | Ep 1 Jan 01, 2017

Speak of the Devil and the Devil will appear. The power and superstition of the spoken name is explored as we delve in the stories of Bloody Mary, Beetlejuice, real-life exorcism and more.

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